Sports
Luka Doncic set for first look at Clippers as a Laker
Feb 27, 2025; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Doncic (77) and forward LeBron James (23) during the second quarter against the Minnesota Timberwolves at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jason Parkhurst-Imagn Images A new energy will envelop the rivalry between the Los Angeles Lakers and the visiting Los Angeles Clippers when the teams meet Friday.
While the Lakers are incorporating Luka Doncic into the mix, the Clippers continue to look for a flow since Kawhi Leonard rejoined the team.
The Clippers are just 2-3 in a run of eight consecutive road games, although they will enter the Friday contest coming off a 122-117 victory over the Chicago Bulls on Wednesday. James Harden scored 30 points, including a decisive 3-pointer with 14.4 seconds remaining.
Leonard scored 17 points and grabbed eight rebounds in 33 minutes. He is averaging 16.9 points and 4.8 rebounds in 17 games since making his season debut in January after dealing with knee soreness.
Leonard has missed seven of the 24 games the Clippers have played since his return, with the team going 13-11 over the entire stretch. The team also went 13-11 in the previous 24 games.
Harden struggled in the first half against the Bulls, shooting 1 of 5. But he broke free with 20 third-quarter points, as he made five of his seven 3-point tries in the period. The Clippers went 8 of 11 (72.7 percent) from long distance in the third.
“Being aggressive. It’s a mindset,” Harden said about his performance in the third quarter. “The first half, the zone kind of staggered us a little bit, slowed us down, but that’s why there’s two halves to a game.”
Doncic scored 21 points and pulled down 13 rebounds in the Lakers’ 111-102 home victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves on Thursday. Against the Clippers, he has averaged 32.6 points in 18 career games.
Doncic has played in just six games since missing six weeks with a calf strain, and a second game in two nights is looming. He sat out the second game of the Lakers’ only prior back-to-back since he was acquired from the Dallas Mavericks on Feb. 2.
The Lakers’ other star, LeBron James, compiled 33 points and 17 rebounds against Minnesota but looked to be favoring his right hamstring late in the game.
“I’m good,” James said. “We’ll see how I feel when I get up (Friday morning).”
There were other causes for concern, including Rui Hachimura departing in the third quarter with a left knee strain.
Even though Doncic hit the 20-point mark for the second time with Los Angeles, he shot just 6 of 20 from the floor and 1 of 9 from 3-point range. He is shooting 22.4 percent (11 of 49) from long distance with his new team.
“We trust Luka as a shooter and as a decision-maker and the type of shots he’s been able to create throughout his career,” Lakers coach JJ Redick said. “I think we’ve all had stretches like that. He’ll find his rhythm. We’re confident he will.”
The Lakers are now 4-2 with Doncic on the court.
After the Clippers won 11 consecutive games between the teams, the Lakers have won four of the past six, including a 122-97 victory on the Clippers’ home court Feb. 4. James scored 26 points for the Lakers in that one, while Norman Powell had 20 for the Clippers.
Powell, the Clippers’ leading scorer at 24.2 points per game, has missed the past four contests with left knee soreness. He was considered questionable for Friday.
–Field Level Media
Sports
Braves put closer Raisel Iglesias on IL, Robert Suarez to close
Apr 15, 2026; Cumberland, Georgia, USA; Atlanta Braves pitcher Raisel Iglesias (26) pitches against the Miami Marlins during the ninth inning at Truist Park. All players are wearing number 42 today in honor of Jackie Robinson. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-Imagn Images The Atlanta Braves placed closer Raisel Iglesias on the 15-day injured list Tuesday with discomfort in his right (throwing) shoulder.
Iglesias has said he’s felt the discomfort since sleeping on his shoulder wrong Friday night. But the Braves conducted an MRI that found no structural damage.
“There’s some inflammation there,” Braves manager Walt Weiss told reporters. “We feel like we’re getting out in front of this thing a little bit.”
Iglesias, 36, has amassed a 42-55 record, 258 saves and a 2.86 ERA in his 12 major league seasons, including four-plus years in Atlanta. He was off to a perfect start to the season, with five saves and no runs allowed over eight games (8 2/3 innings). He’s tossed 11 strikeouts to only one walk.
While Iglesias is sidelined, Robert Suarez will take over closing duties. Suarez led the National League with 40 saves while serving as the San Diego Padres’ closer last season; then he signed a three-year, $45 million deal to join the Braves and their bullpen.
The right-handed Suarez has gone 2-0 with one save and an 0.93 ERA for Atlanta in 10 appearances, used mostly as a setup man. He was an All-Star in 2024 and 2025 for the Padres.
–Field Level Media
Sports
Orlando City want attack to catch up to defense vs. Charlotte
Mar 14, 2026; Orlando, Florida, USA; Orlando City midfielder Martin Ojeda (10) shoots on goal during the second half against the CF Montreal at Inter&Co Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mike Watters-Imagn Images Orlando City will be hoping for a much-needed attacking breakthrough on Wednesday night when they host a Charlotte FC side in search of a second consecutive away victory.
Orlando (1-6-1, 4 points) has been one of Major League Soccer’s most disappointing teams this season, costing former manager Oscar Pareja his job last month.
But there is some evidence that maybe the Lions have at least righted the ship defensively. After conceding 23 times in their first six games, interim manager Martin Perelman’s group has allowed only two goals in the last three fixtures across all competitions.
“I think we organize the team. It never is enough, always (important) to improve things,” Perelman said. “We are in that part. Last details. But yes, the structure is there. In the offensive side as well, we are working. Hopefully we can get the shape we want, that we are used to. Because in this club we have been scoring a lot for the last two years.”
So far, though, the attacking end remains pretty dire. After Martin Ojeda and Marco Pasalic combined for 28 MLS goals a season ago, they only have two apiece for a team with six goals total.
Pasalic also missed last week’s 1-0 home loss to Houston on Saturday night with a leg injury.
Charlotte (4-2-2, 14 points) makes the journey south following a 2-1 victory at New York City FC on Saturday, one that came despite holding a season-low 36% possession.
Defender Tim Ream exited that match at halftime and will miss roughly a week with an adductor strain, Charlotte manager Dean Smith said.
Idan Toklomati scored early in the second half and Kerwin Vargas added a goal late before NYCFC pulled one back in second-half stoppage time. And Charlotte created a similar number of chances to NYCFC despite having less of the ball.
Smith hopes the performance sets the tone for upcoming travels, with Charlotte to play its next three league games away after five of its first eight came at home.
“There’s not plenty of away games we’ve played so far, such is the fixture list,” Smith said. “We didn’t start on the road well, but we showed loads of characteristics that I liked on Saturday. And we need to continue to do that in the next three away games as well.”
–Field Level Media
Sports
Union bring challenged offense north to face streaking Toronto FC
Apr 18, 2026; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto FC midfielder Malik Henry (78) attempts to control the ball against Austin FC during the second half at BMO Field. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Sousa-Imagn Images Toronto FC will aim to extend their unbeaten streak to seven matches when the Philadelphia Union visit on Wednesday.
Toronto (3-2-3, 12 points) is 3-0-3 in its last six outings. Wednesday marks the sixth date of Toronto FC’s nine-match homestand, and the club is unbeaten (4-0-8) in its last 12 home matches dating back to last season.
Despite the good results, midfielder Malik Henry felt his team left victories on the table.
“Some of the draws we’ve had, we feel like we definitely could have won those games, which makes it a bit more disappointing,” Henry told TFC Republic. “We just have to take the points and then continue to move forward with it.”
Walker Zimmerman is expected to be available Wednesday, in a boost to an injury-depleted back line. Zimmerman missed Toronto’s last two matches with a calf injury.
Toronto FC’s offense has been both varied and efficient. Eight Toronto players have at least one goal this season, and the team’s 51.5% accurate shooting percentage is the best in MLS.
The Union are at the other end of the attacking spectrum, with a 27.1% AS percentage that ranks second-last in the league.
Philadelphia (1-6-1, 4 points) has recorded only six goals in eight regular-season matches, ahead of only four-goal D.C. United in MLS.
The lack of offense contributed to the Union’s season-opening six-game losing streak, and goals remain at a premium even as Philadelphia has gone 1-0-1 in its last two matches. The Union outshot D.C. United 17-6 on Saturday and held D.C. without a shot on target, yet still had to settle for a 0-0 draw.
Philadelphia coach Bradley Carnell felt that returning to the striker pairing of Bruno Damiani and Ezekiel Alladoh can help unlock the Union’s offense.
“We have tried a lot of different combinations (at forward) and now we go back-to-back with the same,” Carnell said. “Every day we get together with Eze and Bruno working together, it’s … one day more advanced and developed.”
–Field Level Media
Braves put closer Raisel Iglesias on IL, Robert Suarez to close
Orlando City want attack to catch up to defense vs. Charlotte
